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AMERICA PAST AND PRESENT 



OR 



SIMPLE AND STRENUOUS LIFE. 



MANHATTAN - NE^W YORK 




BY 



PROF. E. COULON de JUMONVILLE. 



nBr 



PUBLISHED BY 
— D. V. WIEN — 



14 E. 42D STREET, NEAR 5TH AVE. 



'You proi)ably know that I do not 
"care very much for the cowanl 
"or the moral weakling." 
President Roose\'elt, Nov. 20. 



•There is no occasion to despair 
"for the future of the Church in 
"France or the French nation." 
Archbishop Ireland. Nov. 20. 



AMERICA PAST and PRESENT 



OR 



SIMPLE AND STRENUOUS LIFE. 



PROF. E. COULOiN de JUMONVILLE. 



COPYRIGHTED. 



AMERICA PAST AND PRESENT 

OR 

SIMPLE AND STRENUOUS LIFE. 

It is not given everybody to recall the '50's; and, gentle 
reader, it is with as much reverence and pleasure for the past 
that I can retrace my steps and tell what I saw, felt and 
experienced. 

Imagine to j^onrself that in this age of wonderful ac- 
tivity and kaleidoscopic changes advancing civilization is 
rooting out every vestige of what was so dear to our land, 
fathers, ideas and habits. We have stripped the old man and 
become a great nation whose voice may be heard in the concert 
of the most advanced and powerful nations of the earth. 

It would not be amiss to speak of America as it was, and 
of America as it is at the present day. 

In the earlier times there were no such men as politi- 
cians, carpetbaggers, lobbyist and millionaires; the latter could 
he found only in Brazil, Cuba or Spain. 

American ambition was limited to her own shores, to 
develop the vast inland resources of this western world that 
required more arms than brains to unearth them. 

In those days of '*Auld Lang Syne," the recollection of 
the struggles for freedom and liberty were then vivid and 
prominent to such a degree that militarism was considered a 
useless, hurtful dangerous old worn out European institution 
tliat could have no chance of ever being grafted into the 
American. 

It was the promised-land, the Eden for the hard pressed 
and dependent European, where he was received with open 
arms. 

Immigration then was encouraged, even courted to the 
utmost; and it soon tilled the vast regions of this continent with 



a continuous How of people glad to esca]>e the military duti**9 
that were imposed upon them. 

The dislike for anything niiiiuiry was carried so far mat 
almost as a boy just leaving a Kuroi>Hun srhool wImmv a uni- 
form was not only the craze and fashion, but a fad, a necessity 
to impress the youn^ ^Ceneral ion with a martial spirit, 1 had to 
experience the aversion that was then alive anntn^'^ youm; 
Americans who naturally retlected their parents' ideas. 

Dressed in a woidd-be military (■o*«lume, now so dear 
lo American youths and college boys, 1 became on my arrival 
It New York, the cynosure of crowds, and I was happy to 
escape the jeers, and, as it were, the deprecating stare that 
followed nie until 1 had disajtpeared from ihe public gaze, 
with a tacit resolution never again to don that uniform of 
mine. 

Alas! what a change I How weh-ome that same tunic 
would be now, and what a strong personality and distinction 
would it not give me, if I could revert to yjars jiast when I 
looked so young and so martial. 

The manners of the people were also dilTerent in many 

respects: a greater cordiality to nnd regjird f(»r foreigners, 

specially for the French who were r»-meiubeivd as the 

-tauncli, lirm and independent friends and allies of those who 

had shed their best blood for the liberties of this country. 

Home-life was also spent in one's own <-ottage: hotels 
;nid Hats were the exception; the latter custom so prevalent 
among Parisians. Houses and lots could l>e had for little 
money, and family ties, marital life were also more closely, 
more Hrmly bound together. 

There was the common sense and simplicity of dress 
and cordiality of manners that worked like a charm, giving 
Kurojteans a lofty <»j)inlon of that pure life that rt>cked or 
bngau the American Republic. 

Nowadays, allmighty dollar has put its heavy iron hand 
u{»on everything and everybc)dy; and the struggle for ilear 
life has become here as bitter and as hard as if was in the old 
ontinent. 

America, while enlarging her sphere of action, seems to 



recede from the old standpoint of offering everyone a chance 
to feel at home or bettering his condition. Immigration is no 
longer looked upon as a boon, but rather as a burden, a neces- 
sary evil that endangers a good fellowship among foreign and 
home laborers. 

Riots, strikes are in the air and have at times caused 
mortal strife when the lowering of wages was the upshot of 
general competition. 

The legitimate political and national influence of 
America remains whole and even greater by the institutions 
and constitution that framed the country, rather than by her 
naval or military achievements; in so much the more as Euro- 
peans are fully imbued with the idea that America is " par 
excellence the land for the brave and the free;" and no sane 
foreign government would ever attempt to excite their people 
into an estrangement with this Republic; she has nothing 
\\ hatever to fear from forein aggression or interference. 

The immense, stupendous accumulation of wealth may 
later on threaten the very fundamental, social or even po- 
litical liberties of the nation. Rome and Greece never enjoyed 
more liberty and happiness than when the sturdy and simple 
manners of their people were predominant; and they never 
fell so low and with such a crash than after they had been 
loaded with riches and military glory. 

''Chi va piano va sano'' the Italians say; and if we pre- 
judge the ambitious strides of Americans with their quick 
luncheons that cause so much dyspej)sia, in the same strain it 
nuiy be said that an?emia must eventually follow the feverish 
activity which reminds one af the lazy man who became la- 
borious in order to later on enjoy a complete rest, "a far 
niente" so dear to those French shopkeepers whose ambition 
is to retire from business after ten or twelve years of incessant, 
tireless industry, in which wives and husbands take an equal 
share, in order to became rentiers or people of leisure. 

But, what's the use of clamoring, some would say, about 
what people know so well? 

Verily, verily I say unto you, time, experience and his- 



- fi — 

1 1 > 1 \ .II'' w I i 1 1 1 • > -^ , . 1 1 1 * 1 > I i n • • 1 1 ■ i '• • I 1 i 1 < 1 1 1 . . I > I u ' ■ * ' ' ■ I i 1 1 . 1 i 1 .^ ••^i I j» . I •■> 

tilt* Motli«'r of Know led i;t' '*\\uHU'rlu»lun>r i«t die Mutter der 
Wissensfhaft," it is always useful to be reminded that the 
Italian ni(»tt4> remains tru»' at all times: "Chi va piano va sano." 
Y«'t, and so far lias that gival develojimeiit of ri<'hes 
benefited only a small minority; and the working? classes of 

\merica fare no bett^-i", aft«'r all. than have the Kurojtean ones; 
indeed, it mi^dit he added with a «ertainty that the American 
working-man with his dollar or two a day has a lesser show to 
get a (jiiiet, independent old a^e than a> is the rase in France 
and likely in Germany, wheie emitloyes and employers are 
bound by statute or law, to lay by a certain portion of the 

iionies ])aid and received, to secure a pension sulHcient to en- 
able the worn out old man to end his life in i)eace and security. 
This wonderful, mi«rhty activity of American cities has 

level()i)ed into sky -.sera j)ers which, if not models of ele/^ance, 
are undoubtedly of comfort, solidity, clever engineering and 
linancial success, since a small i)lot of land can bring from its 
liigh building a rental that a dozen ordinary ones could hardly 
dream of giving. 

l?ut there again, if that is the end for which they were 
built, it must be said tliat owing to their colossal proportions, 
rhey give the surrounding houses a poor, a niggardly appear- 

luce, which is far from being attractive or prejiossessing. 

This leads me to speak a few words ab(»ut the Statue of 
Liberty that ad<»ins the Harbor af New York, but whi<h de- 
corous as it is, sadly lacks in facilities to ascend its eiioimous 
height through the wimling staircaises thai are no l>etter 
lighted than niany streets, or know which t-ar t<i take when no 
iranslucent indicator shows at night and on nn»a<l\say wliieh 
is which, and where it goes or comes from 

Thus are reforms to be hoped for, if they are spoken «»f 
or written about; and this, gentle reader, is what 1 have tried 
to do for the welfare of the j>ublic in general and the good 

lame of the United Stales of America. 



NEW YORK - MANHATTAN 

as pictured in 1900. 

New York, empire and gigantic city, 

Seated thou art in splendor and beauty; 

Thy name, a name for greatness and riches 

Hath won thee fame that far out reaches. 

Thou art a living proof of what freedom 

Is capable of bringing to her bosom . 

That greatness and power thou hast attained, 

France is the more proud, for she was ordained 

To aid in its birth thy nation new 

To which ev'ry lover of freedom flew. 

Thy port open'd to the weary travelers, 

Who from European yoke and jailors 

Escap'd the chains in which they were detained, 

As the timid dove is often retained 

In the murd'rous talons of the vulture 

That would prey on her and seize to torture. 

Manhattan, thy name so before it was, 

Should indeed have remained, for York has 

Recall' d thine dependence and obedience 

To England that would force thine allegiance. 

Thy statue 
Of Liberty that rises in full view, 
Is the gift of a nation whose scion 
Was the friend of immortal Washington, 
The son and the hero of thy land 
That rebell'd against unjust England. 
It was enough, indeed, thou didst retain 
That language that for thee was then a stain; 
But the pure minded Puritan pioneers 
Soon replaced the dishonest bucaneers. 
For the Pilgrim Fathers left their birth-place 
To worship in their tongue God face to face. 



riius, with almost more than a prodigy 
Hast tlioii bei'oiiie by thine own energy, 
The rival of the proudest of cities 
That adorn the oUl world's older counties. 
What a bustle, what a stir, what a country ! 
What hath enabl'd thee by sheer industry 
To enlarge man's power and usefiilness, 
Develop his genius and thy richness, 
And open thy arms to ev'ry nation 
Of every creed, clime and condition? 



Thy wire and suspended Hrooklyn biidge 
A marvel ! thy sky-scrajiers^ 1 abridge: 
Thy electric and elevated tramways 
That relieve the horse in so many ways; 
Thy Colleges and millionaires' mansions 
Are so many samjiles and so many reasons 
Why Europe should look with attention 
To America's strides and and)ition; 
For, Euntpe with her .size and population 
May be threatened, such is my notion. 
To see her products and trade limited 
Before two hundred vears have existed. 



If Columbus hath added a new sphere, 

Steam an<l electricity without fear, 

Have safely brought all distances to naught. 

Now, electricity travels like thought, 

Brings jx'ople into closer proxindty, 

With less jirejudice and more amity. 

Matchless in bMuuty, elegance and grace 

Are thy daughters in manners and face: 

And e<lucation for which th(»u spend'st nullions. 

Insures thy people agjiinst all rebellions. 



Boston, the Athens of this Republic, 
Standing high in favor with the public, 
Shares with her diversified attainnients 
The laurels of the Old World's achievements. 
Soon will Pupin with Mars' inhabitants 
Converse as he doth with two continents; 
Back'd by Edison will Deloncle behold 
Peaceful Mars alive with people young and 
Hence, New Yorkers, accept this conipliinent 
Sans rtattery, as my true sentiment. 



old. 




From the ''AMERICAN ART JOURNAL.' 




November 22, 1902. 

X 

COULON. 

"Altough Prof. Emile Coulon de Jiinioiiville is not a musician, we do not liesi- 
tiite to recoinmentl him to our numerous readers, on account of his literary contri- 
butions in French and in English, some of which were reproduced in the American 
Art Journal, when we were struck by his American and French temper, with liis 
strong feelings of horror at the atrocious and untimely end of our regretted great citi- 
zen, William McKinley, which were so brilliantly rendered in English verse by our 
friend IngersoU Lockwood. 

His poetical admiration of Manhattan, so minutely described, his contribution 
in favor of the Martinique sufleres, his laudation of President Roosevelt's call upon 
tlie well-known generosity of the nation, and also his tribute to his countrywoman, 
Sarah Bernhardt, are all a claim to our notice of him. Besides, the professor is the 
author of a French grammar, of several pamphlets, and even of a novel recalling Gua- 
temala's former volcanic eruption, which he embellished with a romance, yet un- 
published, but which we have read with a real satisfaction. Shall we add his former 
contribution upon "The Dreyfus Case", his "America past and present", and "Let- 
ters to a friend in Paris" and many other articles that have appeared in divers papers 
of the Union. 

His experience as a teacher of languages and especially of his own, commend 
iiim to our artists and the literati in his profession that had made of him a favorite 
among Canadians, Californians and Parisians, and which should ensure him a like 
preference among the retined and educated New Yorkers." 



L IBRPRY OF CONGRES! 



M 011 291 872 3 



liV THE SAME: 
Till' Tratisvaul and the Queen of Holland. 
Ode to Liberty and Tresident McKiniey. 
Martinique and President RooaevelL 
Shakei^peare in Frencli and Sarali Bernhardt. 
The Relic, an historical romance. 
Trophetic letters on the Dreyfus case — I89ti, 
Realistic descrijnion of American and French life. 
Tlie Nationalists* and the Gufrin tlasco. 
Ac(|uiring modern lanjruaffps. 
Tlu' Martin-(;ulirii'l Pares reception souvenir. 



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